When I got a new system a while ago, I decided to document my setup process, everything from installing essential developer tools to configuring Git, PHP, Laravel, Node.js, and other work-related environments. I never published the notes, but months later, when I had to switch systems again, that simple document saved me hours of guesswork.
It made the transition smoother and faster. That experience taught me the value of documenting my setup—not just for myself, but for others who might be navigating a similar path. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I set up my new system as a software engineer, with practical steps you can adapt to your own workflow.
When setting up a new system, especially a MacBook for software development, you need to install essential developer tools and utilities. This guide provides a step-by-step process to ensure your system is ready for coding.
Install Developer Tools
Before you start installing software, ensure that Command Line Developer Tools are installed:
xcode-select --install
If you encounter issues, manually accept the Xcode license:
sudo xcodebuild -license accept
Install Homebrew (Package Manager)
Homebrew is a must-have tool for macOS users to install software efficiently. Install it by running:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
After installation, update Homebrew:
brew update
brew upgrade
Install Essential Development Tools
Now that you have Homebrew, install the essential tools using the following commands:
Inside your Code Editor (VS Code)
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
Docker (For Containerized Development)
brew install --cask docker
MySQL (Database)
brew install mysql
brew services start mysql
To secure MySQL installation:
mysql_secure_installation
Mail Utilities
If you need a mail server for local development, install MailHog:
brew install mailhog
Run MailHog: mailhog
Postman (API Testing)
brew install --cask postman
Node.js & npm (JavaScript Runtime)
brew install node
Verify installation:
node -v
npm -v
Communication Apps (Slack & Teams)
brew install --cask slack
brew install --cask microsoft-teams
Set Up SSH (For Secure Connections)
If you need SSH access for GitHub or remote servers, generate an SSH key:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"
Add the SSH key to the SSH agent:
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa
Copy your SSH key:
pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
Go to GitHub → Settings → SSH and GPG keys and add your key.
Final Steps
✅ Restart your terminal or system for all changes to take effect.
✅ Run brew doctor to check for any issues with Homebrew.
✅ Open VS Code and install useful extensions like Prettier, ESLint, and GitLens.
✅ Configure Docker settings for optimal performance.
✅ Set up MySQL Workbench or another database GUI if needed.
You're Ready to Code.
Your MacBook is now ready for development.
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